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Upcoming Gigs & Albums
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Gig review: BLACK EYED SONS- The Lexington, London, 16 December 2024
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Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL – Thames Side Brewery, Staines, 8 December 2024
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Gig review: STRAY – The Cavern, Raynes Park, London, 7 December 2024
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Gig review: THE SHEEPDOGS, THE COMMONERS – Islington Assembly Hall, London, 5 December 2024
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Gig review: GUN – Barrowlands, Glasgow, 14 December 2024
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Gig review: THE DAMN TRUTH – The Grace, London, 26 November 2024
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Featured Album Reviews
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Album review: JAMES REYNE – Toon Town Lullaby
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Album review: HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT’S ADEQUATE – The Confidence Trick
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Album review: MARK WIRTZ – Dream Dream Dream The Anthology (5 CD Boxset)
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Album review: STRAWBS – The Ferryman’s Curse
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Album review: THE OUTLAW ORCHESTRA – Pantomime Villains
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Album review: BIRDSONG AT MORNING – Signs And Wonders
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Features
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Book Reviews
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Monthly Archives: December 2014
Gig review: H.E.A.T., Islington Academy London, 10 December 2014
Photo: Jim Templeton-Cross 2014 will go down for H.E.A.T. as the year when the young Swedes made their most significant breakthrough yet since exploding onto the scene with their debut album in 2008. For proof, look no further than GRTR! … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 10 December 2014, gig, H.E.A.T., hard rock, Islington Academy London, melodic rock, review
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Book review: BOB HENRIT – Banging On!
Bank House Books (2014) Bob Henrit’s ‘Banging On’ is the opposite of the usual sex, drugs, rock and roll and oblivion confessionals. It’s a lightly humorous recollection of his role in the drift of pop toward rock and beyond, but … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS
Tagged Adam Faith, Argent, Banging On!, Bob Henrit, book, Chas Hodges, Dave Davies, Don McClean, Ian Matthews, Jim McCarty, Jim Rodford, John Verity, Phoenix, Ray Davies, review, Richard Anthony, Richie Havens, Ringo Star, Robert Plant, Rod Argent, Roger Daltry, Russ Ballard, Sandie Shaw, Stevie Nicks, The Kinks, The Roulettes, The Yardbirds, The Zombies, Unit 4 + 2
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Album review: HAREM SCAREM -Thirteen
Frontiers Records [Release Date 05.12.14] While never quite crossing over into mainstream success, few bands are talked of in such hushed tones in melodic rock circles as Harem Scarem. Having split in 2008 but reformed last year and included three … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Harem Scarem, Harry Hess, melodic hard rock, review, Thirteen
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Album review: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN – The Albums Collection Vol. 1 (1973-1984)
These 7 albums released by Bruce Springsteen in 11 years, as the title of the collection would suggest, contain 76 tracks that span big hits, songs that have been covered, an American timeline and an influence on many other bands … Continue reading
Album review: MOJO MAKERS – Devils Hands
Hypertension Music [Release Date: 10.10.14] ‘Devils Hands’ is a successful lo-fi, ‘live in the studio’ attempt to capture an essential bluesy feel and soulful vibe. The album comprises 11 impressive tracks steeped in a retro … Continue reading
Gig review: BLACK SPIDERS – The Cathouse, Glasgow, 8 December 2014
Monday, not the most rocking of nights but when the Black Spiders are in town Monday suddenly becomes the new Saturday. I have been lucky enough to see the band many times in the last few years and they never … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 8 December 2014, AC/DC, Black Spiders, gig, Glasgow, Kiss Tried To Kill Me, live, metal, Rival State, rock, The Cathouse, This Savage Land, Tiger Si, Turbogeist
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Gig review: THEA GILMORE – Telford’s Warehouse, Chester, 9 December 2014
Thea Gilmore’s Office Christmas bash was a somewhat conservative affair this year. As always, Thea was on sparkling form and buoyed with festive cheer, office manager Nigel Stonier orchestrated with his usual aplomb, and secretary Fluff and temp Liz Hanks … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 9 December 2014, acoustic, Chester, Christmas, gig, Nigel Stonier, review, singer, songwriter, Telford's Warehouse, Thea Gilmore
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Album Review: BAILEY – Long Way Down
Frontiers Records [release date 8.12.14] Bailey (a lot of thought went into that one) is the debut album by Three Lions vocalist Nigel Bailey. Nigel was plucked from obscurity by Frontiers for the underwhelming Three Lions album alongside Vinny Burns … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile)
Tagged album, Bailey, classic rock, Frontiers, Long Way Down, Nigel Bailey, review, Three Lions
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Album Review: RATED X – Rated X
Frontiers Records [release date 10.11.14] Rated X are another one of Frontiers’ all-star bands featuring some big names from the past. Who do we have here then? Well the well-travelled Joe Lynn Turner features on vocals, two-thirds of the original … Continue reading
Gig review: JOE ELLIOTT’s DOWN ‘N’ OUTZ/VEGA – The Garage, Highbury, London, 8 December 2014
Fan worship is the bedrock of music industry economics, but it is rare to see it coming from the other side of the monitors. However Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott has for many years openly sung the praises of the … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 8 December 2014, Def Leppard, gig, Highbury, Joe Elliott's Down 'N' Outz, London, melodic rock, Mott the Hoople, Quireboys, review, The Garage, Vega, Vixen
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Gig review: PLANET ROCKSTOCK – Porthcawl, 7 December 2014 (Day 3: Magnum, The Answer)
Jagermeister Second Stage Fireroad have the task of opening the Jagermeister stage on the Sunday, and having just come back from America where they played with Lynyrd Skynyrd on the Simpleman Cruise, getting this crowd going should be no problem. … Continue reading
Posted in GIG REVIEWS, Special Events
Tagged 7 December 2014, FM, gig, Magnum, Porthcawl, Review of Planet Rockstock, review.rock, The Amorettes, THE ANSWER, Voodoo Six
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Gig review: PLANET ROCKSTOCK – Porthcawl, 6 December 2014 (Day 2: Michael Schenker, Joe Elliott)
Jagermeister Stage Day 2 at Rockstock and the first day on the Jagermeister second stage and opening up are local band Serpentine. The band have recently had line-up changes and it is certainly nice to see them back in action … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events
Tagged 6 December 2014, Cadillac 3, Down N Outz, gig, Graveltones, Joe Elliott, Michael Schenker, Planet Rockstock, Porthcawl, review, rock, Serpentine, Tax The Heat, Vega
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Gig review: PLANET ROCKSTOCK – Porthcawl, 5 December 2014 (Day 1: California Breed, Joanne Shaw Taylor)
Planet Rockstock is one of a number of festivals springing up all over the country during off seasons in the holiday parks and I think it is safe to say that these will continue to grow in the future. Porthcawl … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events
Tagged 5 December 2014, blues, California Breed, gig, Glenn Hughes, Gun, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Motorhead, Phil Campbell, Planet Rockstock, Porthcawl, review, rock, South Wales, The Treatment
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Album review: MARTIN TURNER AND FRIENDS – The Garden Party
Dirty Dog Discs [Release date 27.10.14] This 2-CD album is like an almighty two-finger salute to Andy Powell. Back in 2012 Martin Turner assembled a stellar cast of one-time Wishbone Ash alumni and in front of a specially invited audience, … Continue reading
Album review: SWUNG – Vol.1 & 2 (feat. members of FOCUS)
In And Out Of Focus Records [Release date 03.11.14] ‘Swung’ was evidently conceived and recorded during downtime from the “day job” – for Bobby Jacobs and Pierre van der Linden this means the current incarnation of Focus. Although that band … Continue reading
News: THE BEST of 2014 – Vote for your favourites! Best rock albums and live acts!
Every year the GRTR! Reviewers choose their favourite albums and live acts. We reduce this selection to a list of ten in each category. The Best of 2014: Reviewers’ Choice We’ll publish the popular vote results on Tuesday 23 December. … Continue reading
Quick plays: HEKZ, STARSET, HANNE KOLSTO
HEKZ – Caerus Cherry Red Records [Released 03.11.14] This is the second album from up and coming UK based progressive metal band HeKz. They have been picked up by Cherry Red Records who will do a good job I am … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
Tagged album, alt rock, Caerus, electro pop, Hanne Kolsto, HeKz, Linkin Park, nu-metal, pop, progressive metal, review, rock, Starset, Transmissions
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Gig review: SLASH with MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS – The Hydro, Glasgow, 4 December 2014
The last time I saw Slash on stage was at the fateful Monsters Of Rock festival back in 1988 when Guns ‘N’ Roses took the place by storm and two fans went down in the crowd and didn’t resurface, a … Continue reading
Album review: WINTERFYLLETH – The Divination Of Antiquity
Candlelight – Out Now. These last few years I have come across Mancunian Black Metal quartet Winterfylleth on a live setting more times that I care to remember. Even though I do respect and appreciate their ‘stubborn’ commitment to musical … Continue reading
Album review: WHITE EMPRESS – Rise Of The Empress
Peaceville Records – Out Now. Unless you have been living under a rock for the last twenty three years you should be able to recognise Paul Allender as the ex-lead guitarist and one of the main composers of the British … Continue reading
Gig review: THE PINEAPPLE THIEF – The O2 Islington Academy, London, 3 December 2014
Ask me to name my favourite albums for 2014 and The Pineapple Thief’s “Magnolia” will certainly feature in my Top 10 list. Even though my introduction to Bruce Soord’s Alternative/Progressive Rock outfit only took place a couple of years ago, … Continue reading
Gig review: THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT – The Ritz, Manchester, 17 November 2014
Having followed The Temperance Movement since the early days we have seen them sell out pretty much every venue they play; ranging from the 250 capacity Bodega in Nottingham to the 550 capacity Club Academy so tonight at the 1500 … Continue reading
Posted in GIG REVIEWS, Single and EP reviews
Tagged 17 November 2014, gig, Manchester, Raglans, review, rock, The Ritz, The Temperance Movement
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Album review: ANGELS AND AIRWAVES – The Dream Walker
[Released 09.12.14] This album is just one part of a multimedia project from Angels and Airwaves that will include a short film, comic books, a graphic novel, videos and animations that will all tie in to a central character known … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Angels and Airwaves, Blink 182, pop, review, rock, synths, The Dream Walker, Tom DeLonge
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Gig review: GRAHAM BONNET – 02 Islington Academy 2, 1 December 2014
For someone whose live appearances have been sporadic in his home country over the years, it was a surprise to see Graham Bonnet doing a second tour of 2014. Unfortunately allied to timing it in the busiest period of the … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged 1 December 2014, Beth-Ami Heavenstone, Conrado Pesinato, David Sinclair Four, Doogie White, gig, Graham Bonnet, London, Morpheus Rising, O2 Islington Academy, Rainbow, review
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Album review: HARMONY – Theatre Of Redemption
Ulterium Records [Release date 28.11.14] It’s probably not a good idea to release albums a month or so before Christmas: they tend to get lost in the festivities and almost certainly miss out in best of year selections. Which is … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Code Of Silence, Harmony, melodic metal, power metal, review, Theatre Of Redemption
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